Bournemouth's Eddie Howe aiming for Premier League promotion

Eddie Howe says Bournemouth are aiming to take advantage of their fixture schedule in the race to gain promotion to the Premier League.

Bournemouth play Bolton next on Monday, live on Sky Sports, by which time their promotion rivals will have all played.

Two wins from their remaining fixtures will see Howe’s side automatically promoted to the Premier League.

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When asked about his side’s fixture schedule, Howe told Sky Sports News HQ: “It gives us time to prepare for the Bolton game and we haven’t had that in recent weeks.

“It’s been game after game, as it has for most of the clubs, so we can really plan for this game and we are going to know the results of the other sides. Our job is clear, we just need to win our next two games.”

‘Historic’

Bournemouth drew 2-2 on Saturday against Sheffield Wednesday to drop to second place in the Sky Bet Championship, but with his side unbeaten in their last 12 league games, Howe is staying positive.

“The players have been magnificent from the first day to this,” he added. “They’ve given everything. They are the most professional side I’ve worked with and the most talented. The boys have done us proud so far and they’ve just got two more games to finish it off.

'Excitement'

“We have nothing to be down about with the position we are in, we can only look forward with real excitement and enthusiasm for what are going to be two massive games for this football club, the biggest in the club’s history.

“Our aim was to improve on the 10th position we got last season, which itself was a historic season. Now we’ve been involved in this titanic battle at the top of the division all season, and credit to all the clubs this season for their consistency, everyone is fighting for the same prize and we hope we can do it (gain promotion).”

A day after that 2-2 draw with Wednesday, Howe was named Football League Manager of the Decade, and the 37-year-old admits he was honoured with the award.

“I didn’t see that coming, it was a real surprise and real honour,” he said. “I pick it up on behalf of this football club.

“Bournemouth’s journey has been well documented, from the bottom of League Two to where we are now, it’s been a real enjoyable journey and hopefully there’s another chapter to write this season.”